In The Next Room

Before the performance of In The Next Room, ZACH has been presenting singing and piano playing in the main lounge area. Last night the singer was Laura Benedict Scott. I first met Laura at the Red Hot and Blues gala last year. Laura has a beautiful voice. She sang some classic songs, in a jazzy tone.
Since I've been trying to work on my photography skills with singers I asked her if it would be okay to take some pictures. It was quite the challenge as I didn't want to use a flash. The lighting kept changing , but I got a few interesting shots and a few minutes of video.

In the Next Room or the Vibrator play is about the use of a vibrator to cure hysteria. It's been interesting as people come to see the play and how they react to the title when asked what performance they are attending. Whenever women say vibrator they seem to laugh or giggle and the men seem a bit more serious.

Once again the set design for this production is tops and the costumes are really good and very colorful.
They were put together by Moria Sine Clinton. There are a few costumes changes and we get to see how the outfits are layered for effect as the female characters get to undress and redress on stage.
There are some funny moments in the film. Since I've not been working with parking the actors for this production I didn't know who was in the performance of if I knew any of the actors. It turns out Matthew Redden and Jill Blackwood are in the production. Matthew doesn't appear until the second half of the play as the artist with a lack of inspiration until he comes to Dr. Givings. Jill plays the wife of Doctor Givings played by Craig Mungavin. The play is filled with many messages. From learning about love, how to get it and how to give it. Making love and being pleasured. Enjoying the beauty of the body and the soul.

Sarah Ruhl is the author of In The Next Room or the Vibrator play and Sarah Rasmussen is the director.

There are a few moments where we are just watching the characters. Then there are some pauses when the scrim comes down and we are left to ponder what will happen next.
The special effects in the closing scene are really great. The play ends with Mrs. Givings noticing her husband in all his nakedness for the first time. There are so many people that don't really enjoy the beauty that is right in front of them.

Michelle Alexander plays Elizabeth the wet nurse, Michael Ferstenfeld plays Mr. Daldry who brings his wife to Dr. Givings. Amy Downing plays Mrs. Daldry the wife that is suffering from hysteria. Irene White plays Annie the nurse that assists Dr. Givings.

The play runs until Sunday at the Zachery Scott Topfer Theatre.

More Movies 2-13-14

Titanic - (1953) DDDD Clifton Webb, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Wagner and Thelma Ritter star in this version of the film. There have been many versions of films to retell this historic event. Although there are no over the top special effects, there is an interesting story. We follow one family in their own personal crisis aboard the luxury liner. The film is in black and white and is very entertaining.

Fathom - (1967) D Raquel Welch is a sky diver recruited by a secret agency to recover a detonation device known as the fire dragon. You can call it a female version of James Bond based upon the novel of the same name. If you are a fan of Raquel Welch you will enjoy this one as she is scantily clad in almost every scene. Raquel Welch does work the screen, but she was always used for her assets. The opening sequence made me think of Jane Fonda in Barbarella. We watch Raquel in a red bikini roll up her parachute before her jump.

Bernie - DDDD This is one of those films that I picked up at Dollar Tree. It stars Jack Black, Shirley Maclaine and Matthew McConaughey. The film is based on a true story of a funeral director in Carthage, Texas. Jack Black gives a great performance as Bernie, the man with compassion and a personality that everyone likes. He begins a relationship with a recent widow who is not liked by the townspeople. Bernie shows Mrs. Nugent, played by Shirley Maclaine that she can still enjoy her life and so they do. Taking trips, buying things and being a good companion. When Mrs. Nugent becomes overly protective, Bernie starts to get fed up and what happens next is a chain of unbelievable events. As Bernie is charged with murder, the towns people go into denial and don’t want Bernie to go to jail.

Walk Don’t Run - DDDD this is a fun film which was Cary Grants last film. It’s the story of an older gentleman who arrives in Hong Kong two days early and his hotel room isn’t available because of the Olympics. He answers an ad and cons his way into the apartment of a young woman. He sublets his half of the room to a young man who is part of the Olympics, but also came to town early. It’s a film about customs, misinterpretations, love and keeping up appearances.

Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


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